Sunday, 17th May 2026: The Seventh Sunday of Easter (The Sunday after Ascension Day)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
***Over tea and coffee in the Institute after Parish Eucharist, Daniel Ojabo will speak about Christian Aid’s work in Nigeria.***
6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)
Wednesday
9:00am - Oasis
10:00am - Holy Communion (BCP)
Saturday
11:00am - The Wedding of Jonathan and Angela
Sunday, 24th May 2026: The Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute
1:30pm - Baptism
6:00pm - Choral Evensong (BCP)
Preacher and Celebrant at all of Today's Services: The Reverend Dr Gary Eaborn - Curate of St John's Wood Church, London (Diocese of London)
***Please see the Calendar of services attached.***
***Please see also David’s Music Notes for May attached.***
Thanks received from Cornerstone, the local Homelessness Charity which our Lent Appeal supported: Nicky Morson, Cornerstone’s Communications and Engagement Lead has written to send us the charity’s thanks for our donation and tell us how they have been able to use it to secure thirty-three nights of emergency accommodation for a homeless person with no other options for support. As an illustration of the importance of being able to respond quickly in a homelessness crisis, she cites the example of a young parent with a baby who was recently made homeless through no fault of their own. Children’s Services deemed the baby to be a priority need, but were unable to house the parent, so the process had begun to remove the baby. Thanks to donations like ours, Cornerstone was able to move parent and baby immediately into its emergency accommodation, saving parent and baby from having to be separated, and giving housing providers and support services the vital time needed to work with them to create a more stable outcome.
Parish Magazine: The latest issue of the Parish Magazine is now available.
As usual, magazines will be delivered to all regular subscribers, with extra copies available to purchase for a cost of £2.00 each from the back of church.
Good Citizen Award: Win Colman has received this award from the City of Durham Parish Council. A ceremony will take place at 6:30pm on 20th May at Durham University Business School. Everyone is welcome to attend and it should be a joyous moment to say thank you to Win.
Deanery Confirmation Service 2026: The Confirmation Service this year will take place at 6:00pm on Saturday 6th June at St Nics, Durham. Please let Peter know if you would like to be Confirmed or indeed Baptised and Confirmed at this service. It will be taken by Bishop Frank White.
Churches Together Trip to Lindisfarne: The Durham Churches together trip to Holy Island on Saturday 6th June is confirmed. Payments are to be made in advance. Please contact Boyd ([email protected]) if you asked for a place and have not already received the necessary information.
The Jarrow Lecture 2026: This year's Jarrow Lecture will be given by Dr Tom Pickles (the University of Chester) on 'Bede, Providence, and Early Medieval Kingship.' It will take place at 7:30pm on Friday 22nd May at St Paul's Church, Jarrow, NE32 3DZ.
Free admission, all welcome. Refreshments after the lecture.
St Margaret's Allotments, Church, Churchyard & Centre Nature Day: Saturday 23rd May, 11:00am–3:00pm at St Margaret's Allotments, Margery Lane, Durham, DH1 4QT.
Bioblitz, talks, bird ringing and more.
Free admission; give as you wish.
Further details in poster attached or via the following website: https://stmargaretsallotments.org.uk/
Foodbank - Weekly Message from Lynda Delf: On Sunday 3rd May, 8kg of food and £40.00 was donated in Church. Also, £20.00 was posted anonymously through our door; thank you for your continuing generosity.
This week we need sugar, rice, jam, coffee, biscuits, tinned meat, fish, tomatoes, potatoes, fruit and rice pudding. We are always short of household cleaning materials, toilet rolls, nappies, long-life fruit juice and milk.
On Sunday 10th May, £40.00 and 14kg of food was donated in Church. A Parishioner gave me 7kg of food and £10.00; this will provide 28 meals and the money used to purchase more food. Thank you so much for all you do to support our foodbanks.
Our current shortages include rice, sugar, jam, biscuits, coffee, tinned potatoes, tomatoes, meat, fish, rice pudding and fruit. We always need long-life milk, fruit juice, toilet roll, and household cleaning materials.
Thank you for all you do to support our foodbanks.
Wedding: Jonathan and Angela would be delighted to for you to join them at their wedding here at St Oswald’s at 11:00am on Saturday 23rd May.
For your Prayers: Amongst the sick, please pray for Angie Robley.
With All Good Wishes and Prayers, Peter
The Reverend Peter Kashouris
St Oswald's Vicarage, Church Street, Durham [email protected]